Trouble in the Tropics: IATO

By Eliza March

This Cyber Espionage Romance from Eliza March is connected to her ongoing  IATO series. PhD student, Sage Deming committed herself to the NSA, but not until after spring break—her first—hot sun, white sand, and mindless sex, until a series of deadly encounters threaten to interrupt her plans for fun. After a two-year deployment, Colonel Ryan O'Malley returns with a goal to relax before his next cyber security assignment. Is it just dumb luck he's there when the first hot chick he encounters is almost run down and kidnapped?  Facing danger and betrayal, Sage and Ryan discover a cyber terrorist plot to keep her from finishing her project for Homeland Security.  That she's determined to experience all spring break has to offer—including casual sex—strangely rankles Ryan more than the possibility she's a terrorist target. He's determined to protect her, but he's also determined to fulfill her qualifications as that weekend fling.  Too bad when Sage finally discovers there's more to life than work, and more to sex than she's ever experienced, she ends up wondering if she'll manage to stay alive long enough to enjoy it. If the government and Ryan have any say, she will not only finish her project they've promised she'll also get more than the spring break she's been waiting for. Before she goes to work at NORAD, she has plans for the sea and sand, and a certain sexy Colonel. Her upcoming job will be closely linked to the International Anti-Terrorist Organization which has been an invisible black ops group for years, Now the cast of characters from the previous romantic suspense, Across a Crowded Room books will have their own stories to tell in the IATO series.Innocence Lost, Book 1 [Across a Crowded Room]The Monte Carlo Affair, Book 2 [Across a Crowded Room]Cyber Seduction, Book 3 [Across a Crowded Room][Kindle Worlds The Omega Team] Cyber Tracked: The Cobra Project

• Language: English
• Publisher: Eliza March
• Release date: Sep 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201883010

Eliza March

Eliza March worked as assistant librarian during college and lived for time in the reading room. Later, when she became a gossip columnist in the Hamptons, she had plenty of fodder for her stories. Now, the award-winning author known for writing contemporary, paranormal, and fantasy romance with sensual content, also writes everything from soul searing, gut-wrenching love stories to downright ridiculously, humorous romance. Eliza enjoys writing multi-genre stories for her fans who love variety. https://ElizaMarch.com https://elmarchbreathlessbooks.wordpress.com https://elizamarch.wordpress.com/e-l-marchauthor/ http://elizamarch.blogspot.com

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Trouble in the Tropics

By

Eliza March

CONTENTS

Copyright

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Sage

Acknowledgements

About Eliza March

Other Books

Copyright

––––––––

Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

Trouble in the Tropics

First edition Copyright © 2016 by Eliza March

Cover design: Eliza March

All cover art copyright © 2016 by Eliza March

Credits: photodune-1318666-couple-sunset-profile-back-light-in-orange-sea-xs.jpg and resort-956829_1920 free.jpg

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission of the author, [e-mail]

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my father.

Chapter One

The line in the coffee shop at MacDill Air Force Base started inside the front door.

After picking up her cup of coffee, Sage plunked it on a table and sat beside her friend, Amy, so they could talk without shouting.

Could they fit anyone else in here?

Are you ready for your break? Amy asked.

Yes. Come with me this weekend. Sage tried to persuade her former undergrad roommate to join her at the beach. At least for my first night of spring break.

"I can’t. I have to pick up a couple of guys on TDY, you know, temporary duty, and take them to the beach today. I’m returning to school today. My break is over tomorrow, and my thesis is stalled. It’s tougher than I expected."

Just two days—one and a half days? Go back to UF tomorrow night. Sage pleaded, appealing to Amy’s soft heart. I’ve never done this before. She looked around to make certain no one heard her, You know...picked up a one-night stand. A weekend fling?

I’ll think about it.

That’s it? You’ll think about it? I’m dying here.

Oh my God, Sage. Amy frowned and shook her head. I’m usually the bad influence.

For someone who physically resembled a blonde ditz and openly played a little on the wild side, Amy was deadly serious about certain things. From her flawless appearance to her veiled intelligence, everything about Amy’s public persona came effortlessly disguising her incredible achievements and concealing the real woman.

By this afternoon, Sage teased, and did a little twirl with her finger, I’ll be listening to music and enjoying a fruity alcoholic beverage under an umbrella, both me and the drink... She lowered her voice, And I’m hoping to entice some hot dude into bed.

Ha! Like that’d be a challenge. For someone who’s never done spring break before, you seem to have it well planned out.

Sage wanted to laugh. I am so going to get laid. I swear, she said and dropped her face in her hands. I need a one-night stand or two. The reason I’m the oldest intern with Homeland Security is because I’ve spent my life missing things like spring break. Listen, my project will be the first developed security architecture and design in telecommunications and network security guaranteed to block even the most sophisticated cyber hackers. She watched Amy’s eyes glaze over. "See. Even you want to yawn."

Sage looked around at all the eye candy in the room. What hope do I have of luring some guy into bed with those pick-up lines? I don’t know how to have fun.

No shit. Amy grinned. It’s not like we don’t have a base full of GI’s willing to—

Don’t say it. They’re off limits. I may have to work with these guys one day. There were a few well-rounded asses and flat abs she would have enjoyed exploring, but she didn’t play where she worked.

You are pathetic.

But determined. Sage held up her brochure from the rental agency and smiled. There’ll be ripped chests and thick biceps from all over for me to inspect out at the beach. Before the government sticks me under that mountain in Colorado, I plan to live it up just once and be the one walking away.

Amy high-fived her then lowered her voice. You go, girl. Don’t miss your last chance for brainless fun and a zipless fuck before you turn into... She made glasses out of her hands and a ridiculous face. Dr. Deming, cyber geek.

Any tips or advice for my first and last spring break will be greatly appreciated.

I’ll text you some notes and addresses of a few parties to hit. Amy gave her a hug and pulled out her phone.

Thanks. Sage picked up her coffee with a long sigh. I don’t remember the last party I went to—oh, shit. Her heart sank. Yes, I do.

Tell me the fraternity party from hell wasn’t the last—

Okay...but it was. Sage leaned back and pouted, disillusioned and distressed from the memory.

That was two years ago. My friend, you so need moral support. Give me the address where you’re staying.

You’re going to come? A sense of relief filled Sage.

No promises. Amy patted Sage on the shoulder and shrugged. If I can rearrange my schedule I’ll let you know.

I’m texting you the address now.

Gotta run. Amy picked up her coffee, waved flirtatiously to a couple of hunky-looking uniformed men, and scooted out the door.

Damn. Why couldn’t Sage manage that casual wave? It wasn’t as if she hadn’t practiced it in her mirror hundreds of times.

Chapter Two

The plane’s wheels touched down smoothly on the runway while Lt. Col. Ryan O’Malley finished the F-15’s landing flow sequence as his best friend and co-pilot, Matt Schuler shouted a loud whoop into the helmet mike.

Nice job, buddy. I still can’t believe the Eglin base commander let us transport this baby here for the air show.

Matt’s voice resonated in Ryan’s ears as they taxied to the hanger, and Ryan grinned over his shoulder.

Neither could I, but could you think of a more efficient way to get to the beach and our well-deserved leave?

The stealth Eagle was one of the favorite draws, not to mention their personal workhorse in Afghanistan. Ryan shut down the engines outside the hangar, instituted the parking flow, then began the post flight check.

Once the canopies lifted, he stood and stretched, helmet in hand, and turned to Matt who was unbuckling his seat harness and disconnecting everything else.

Before he continued, he waited for Matt to remove his helmet and climb from the rear seat of the fighter, then Ryan added, MacDill needed a radar blocking fighter for the air show next week...

And the base commander here wanted the F-15 SE, Matt finished for him and climbed out with a clipboard in hand.

The flight-line mechanics were already checking out the aircraft’s systems when Matt handed the senior inspector his paperwork and then Ryan followed with his.

Hey, we needed to hop a quick ride. Why not make everyone happy? Ryan ran his hand back and forth over his short, bristled hair.

Check it out. Matt lowered his voice and slapped Ryan on the back. On your eleven.

Idling by the hangar was a Jeep pimped out for beach life, accompanied by a curvy blonde with legs to her neck and hair to her waist. Couldn’t say it was the worst welcome they’d ever received, but Matt’s eyes rounded devouring the sight, and Ryan swore his friend went so far as to lick his lips.

Wipe the drool, buddy, before you scare the locals.

"This gig is looking